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Early orders, more funds, swift payments — govt panel tips for boosting India’s vaccine supply

According to report by inter-ministerial panel, Bharat Biotech could double its production capacity soon while Serum Institute of India is still looking for ways to expand production.

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New Delhi: Tie-ups with drugmakers, prepping manufacturing sites, early orders, funds and swift payments are some of the ways vaccine production in India can be augmented, an inter-ministerial panel’s initial report has said.

According to sources in the government, a report submitted to the Narendra Modi government this week by the panel, which was formed to increase vaccine production, also said the production of Covaxin will soon be doubled by vaccine manufacturer Bharat Biotech.

“We have ensured that the production of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin will be ramped to huge levels,” an official, who is part of the panel, told ThePrint on condition of anonymity.

He further noted that the manufacturer could be able to produce 1 crore doses per month by the end of this month. It was producing 40 lakh doses per month till March.

Meanwhile, the report said that Serum Institute of India, which manufactures the vaccine Covishield, is still looking for ways to expand manufacturing.

“While the Serum Institute of India (SII) is already manufacturing in huge capacities, we are still figuring out ways to boost production, even more, considering they have a different arrangement with the AstraZeneca,” the officer said. The company is currently manufacturing 6.5 crore doses per month.

He added: “The notes have been submitted to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for consideration. There are no major issues with both the companies and we have noted their concerns which will further be taken up by the ministry.”

The six-member inter-ministerial panel was constituted by the Centre in March to increase the production of domestic vaccines.

The panel’s immediate goal is to inoculate at least 30 to 40 crore beneficiaries. To do so, the country will need to manufacture more than 60-80 crore doses of vaccines in the coming months (both vaccines require two shots). So far, 9,80,75,160 crore people have been vaccinated in the country.

ThePrint reached Bharat Biotech and SII for a comment via email but they did not revert till the time of publishing.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, meanwhile, declined to comment on the matter.


Also read: Govt exported Covid-19 vaccine, allowed shortage in India — Sonia Gandhi hits out at Centre


Manufacturing ramp-up would require funding, payment release

The panel report has also informed the government that both companies seek financial support to increase vaccine production.

Bharat Biotech has sought government assistance of approximately Rs 150 crore to expand its production capacity to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The expansion could boost the company’s manufacturing by seven times.

The Serum Institute, meanwhile, has asked for approximately Rs 3,000 crore in government assistance to expand manufacturing capacity.

“Both companies are looking at possible tie-ups with other vaccine and drug manufacturers as well,” said a second official, who was also part of the panel.

“The manufacturers also want the government to place formal contractual orders for the vaccine doses in advance and make payments alongside so that they don’t face a financial crunch,” the official told ThePrint.

According to recent procurement agreements signed by the government, Bharat Biotech has to supply 2 crore doses by May while SII has to supply 10 crore doses in the same period.

(Edited by Rachel John)


Also read: This is how India is disposing of its lakhs & lakhs of Covid vaccine syringes


 

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1 COMMENT

  1. Wuhan virus and its successors have to be eradicated.

    Wuhan virus has caused so much deaths joblessness downturn without a shot being fired.

    If wuhan virus goes unpunished then it would be travesty.

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